The Greater Clark County Kennel Club in Washington is leading the way in making dog sports more age-inclusive for Junior Handlers. The club is piloting the nation's first AKC Junior Club, a program in which Junior Handlers can organize events and occupy leadership positions.  The AKC Junior Club: Form and Function The AKC Junior Club […]

How do Juniors who don't own dogs show? The AKC Junior Pilot Program allows Junior Handlers to show dogs they or their immediate family members don't own.

The original Sealyham Terrier history starts with a captain and Otterhounds to eventual recognition from the American Kennel Club.

Deciphering the registered names of show dogs can be a baffling process for the public. "Why are the names so long?" "Is that how they call their dogs?" "What do all those letters mean?" "What language is that?" Those are just some of the comments heard when commentators announce show dogs by their formal names. […]

After taking a training class three years ago, now 16-year-old Skylar Sowiecki swiftly got involved with dog shows. Sowiecki resides in sunny Florida and owns German Shepherd Dogs—but can also be seen showing Borzois and occasionally Beaucerons and Greyhounds. Sowiecki and her two GSDs compete in a variety of sports including Conformation, Rally, Dock Diving, Fast […]

It’s June, which means summer events are in full swing! Did you know that the American Kennel Club is comprised of more than 5,000 dog clubs across the country that together host more than 20,000 events each year? This results in a huge impact on our local economies. The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – AB 1881 as introduced established a “Dog and Cat Bill of Rights”.  While the bill only required that the list be posted at shelters and rescues, AKC joined many organizations in expressing significant concerns about putting […]

Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in US Territories The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to assist dog owners with canine legislation issues in their local communities, but we can’t help unless we are aware of the proposal. Please contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org when new laws are discussed or introduced […]

As Florida’s governor signs or vetoes remaining 2022 bills, the American Kennel Club Government Relations team (AKC GR) thanks AKC club members, the hardworking members of the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs (FAKC), dog owners, sportsmen, allied organizations, and every individual who contacted their lawmakers about state legislation that affects our dogs. Here are some […]

Next week, the California Senate Judiciary Committee will be considering both the “Dog and Cat Welfare” and dog trainer disclosure bills.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is currently neutral on these bills, both of which contain some of AKC’s proposed amendments. Those who wish may contact the committee to express your opinion on these bills […]